Festivals, Inc. 400 North Peters, Suite 205 , LA 70130

Contact: Rebecca Sell phone: 504-522-5730 cell: 504-343-5559 email: [email protected] ______FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron Complete Music Schedule, Special Events, and Final Details Revealed

NEW ORLEANS, La. (March 15, 2018) – As the 35th annual presented by Chevron approaches (April 12-15, 2018), French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) proudly announces final details about the free homegrown festival. Attendees will experience music from 1,700 world-class, local musicians, food from the region’s favorite restaurants, and four days of unique special events. French Quarter Festival 2018 is also an official Tricentennial event: The Tricentennial Homecoming Pavilion, sponsored by New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, will be located near the Jack Daniel’s Stage and open all four days of festival. In Jackson Square, Hilton will sponsor the Hilton Tricentennial Stage with a four day lineup that includes John Boutté, Ellis Marsalis, and Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns. On Saturday, April 14, French Quarter Festival will celebrate the Tricentennial with fireworks on the River immediately after the music ends on the Abita Beer Stage, at approximately 9pm. “In 2018, as we reflect on our 35 year history, we are delighted to remain a locals' favorite and proud of the significant economic impact we generate for New Orleans,” said Emily Madero, President & CEO of FQFI. “Though the festival has evolved from a small neighborhood event, we have remained committed to our mission to support the local culture and economy. As we celebrate this banner year, we are excited to bring a record number of musical debuts, fresh menu items, new partnerships, and unique experiences that will both honor our heritage and embrace our future.” 23 Stages, More than 30 New Artist Debuts Music Schedule Now Available at frenchquarterfest.org! Throughout its history, French Quarter Festival has been committed to featuring local artists. In a region with a wealth of talent, organizers introduce new artists to the lineup each year. In 2018, French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron welcomes more than 30 debuts. The list includes: singer/songwriter Amanda Ducorbier; Chocolate Milk – the New Orleans funk band that worked with Allen Toussaint, played backup on dozens of notable sessions, and released eight major-label albums; Zydeco-sensation Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble; and Cajun advocate, writer, and acclaimed musician Zachary Richard. Returning favorites include Cyril Neville, whose Swamp Funk is among the debuts, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Irma Thomas, Jon Cleary, Little Freddie King, recent Grammy- winners Lost Bayou Ramblers, and hundreds more! The complete music schedule is now available on the festival’s new website, frenchquarterfest.org. Fans can also download the app, produced in partnership with sponsor GE Digital. Honoring the Past and Investing in the Future French Quarter Festival was started to support neighborhood businesses during World’s Fair street construction. As FQFI celebrates its 35th birthday, the organization continues to honor that purpose. In 2018, with the 100 block of now re-opened after months of construction, the FQFI team will bring music to the first block of Bourbon with the Gateway to Bourbon Street Stage, co-sponsored by Dickie Brennan and Company Family of Restaurants, Associated Food Supply, Sysco, and TLC Linens. FQFI has always been passionate about supporting young musical artists. This year, FQFI is unveiling a new initiative to honor our cultural heritage by investing in the future: Ernie’s Schoolhouse Stage will give young artists the opportunity to perform at French Quarter Festival while gaining business and marketing skills to support their musical careers. Selected artists will participate in the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation workshop, which will take place a month prior to the festival and culminate in a weekend of performances on the stage located at Homer Plessey Community School at Royal and St. Philip Street. Let Them Talk, Presented by Jones Walker Let Them Talk, presented by Jones Walker, the annual lecture series curated by Fred Kasten featuring musicians, will return to The New Orleans Museum for the 2018 French Quarter Festival. Sponsored by Jones Walker, the series provides a rare chance to hear artists speak about their life in music as well as take the opportunity to honor those artists who have passed, such as the Saturday, April 14 session, Fats Domino Tribute, which will be moderated by Scott Billington with author Rick Coleman, saxophonist Roger Lewis, and Mr. Domino’s longtime friend, Ms. Haydee Ellis. This year’s schedule also includes: Zachary Richard, Gregory Davis of Dirty Dozen, Linnzi Zaorski, Richard Scott, Josh Paxton, Gal Holiday, Jee Yeoun Ko, Christien Bold, Evan Christopher, Johnny Sansone, and Darcy Malone. FQF Film Fest with Cinema on the Bayou, Presented by NCIS: New Orleans

Cinema on the Bayou returns to curate FQF Film Fest with Cinema on the Bayou, Presented by NCIS: New Orleans. Cinema on the Bayou Film Society was founded by filmmaker Pat Mire, a prize-winning filmmaker based in Lafayette, La. Mire’s cultural documentaries have been aired nationally on PBS, Discovery Channel, and other networks and have won awards in national and international competitions. FQF Film Fest with Cinema on the Bayou, Presented by NCIS: New Orleans takes place at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré- one of the oldest community theatres in the country. Lineup includes: Dance for a Chicken: The Cajun Mardi Gras, which provides an insider’s look at Courir de Mardi Gras; Le Voisinage, a series of four to eight minute films that focus on the music of South Louisiana; Zachary Richard Cajun Heart, which follows the singer- songwriter on his quest to find the true Acadian identity today; Hotel Al, a documentary short featuring a quick- tongued Cajun celebrating 55 years working for the oldest family-owned hotel in America, The Monteleone; Dirty Rice, capturing the raw essence of the rural Cajun community in South Louisiana; Forever Waves starring Kristin Diable; Wedding Song, shot on location in New Orleans; and Nine Lives, a musical that follows the lives of nine people in New Orleans from 1965 (the year hurricane Betsy ravaged the city), through 2005 (the year of ), and beyond. Visit www.frenchquarterfest.org for full schedule and descriptions.

Family Fun at French Quarter Festival 2018 Chevron Children's Headquarters at the Natchez Wharf Adds New Partners FQFI is thrilled to announce the return of the Chevron STEAM Zone at French Quarter Fest 2018. The Chevron “STEAM” Zone (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) will return to the Natchez Wharf at the foot of Toulouse Street at the River. Attendees can expect two full days of family-fun on Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15.

Chevron supports many organizations in the community, and at French Quarter Festival they collaborate with several of them to create educational STEAM Zone experiences. This year Chevron will engage youth with the Energy Timeline Challenge and showcase centuries of innovation. Other community partners and activities include: exploring Louisiana-wildlife success stories with Audubon Nature Institute; completing a LED circuit to light the façade of a New Orleans home with Fab Lab NOLA; and Rebuilding Together New Orleans will team up with the Preservation Resource Center to help children “build” a historic home and learn about architectural features. Other partners include National Park Service, NORD Teen Council, Project Lead the Way, The Nature Conservancy, and WWII Museum. Enjoy Favorite New Orleans Cuisine and New Healthier Choices

In a city famous for its culinary traditions, New Orleans is the perfect backdrop for French Quarter Festival attendees to get a taste of the best of the best. More than 60 vendors will feature cuisine from favorite restaurants in the region, including classic New Orleans dishes as well as contemporary and fresh healthy options. This year, the French Quarter Fest app makes it easier for attendees to adhere to dietary needs. Refer to the app to find food vendors that offer a gluten-free, vegetarian, and/or sugar-free menu item. A new partnership with Eat Fit, NOLA will also label menu options to help those who want to eat clean, count calories, and manage diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol.

FQFI welcomes six new vendors in 2018: Café Beignet, Café Dauphine, The Company Burger, The Daily Beet, Flamingo A-Go-Go, and SoBou. These new vendors will debut items that range from Fresh Mango Spring Rolls with Peanut-Ginger Dipping Sauce to Deep Fried Seafood Stuffed Bell Peppers. Returning vendors with new menu items include Broussard’s Chilled Marinated Crawfish Tail Steam Bun Tacos, K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen’s Chicken and Andouille Gumbo, and Westin New Orleans Canal Place’s Crawfish and Andouille Mac N Cheese with Spicy Three Cheese Mornay. Sponsors Help To Keep French Quarter Fest a True Community Event Chevron returns as Presenting Sponsor of French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest FQFI is proud of its 35 year history of providing high-quality community events that are accessible to all. In order to keep the festival free and open to the public, the organization relies heavily on the contributions of sponsors and partners as well as beverage and merchandise sales. Festival organizers welcome the return of Chevron as Presenting Sponsor of both French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest. “Chevron believes in supporting local arts and culture and is thrilled to return as presenting sponsor of the 35th annual French Quarter Festival,” said Leah Brown Public Affairs Manager, Chevron Gulf of Mexico. “Our partnership with French Quarter Festivals, Inc. is one way we fuel the social and economic vitality of New Orleans and Louisiana. We’re proud to once again be a part of it.” Omni Royal Orleans Hotel is returning to support FQFI’s 2018 season of events as the Official Hotel of French Quarter Festival and Satchmo SummerFest. Additional sponsors include: Abita Brewing Company, Aenta Better Health of Louisiana, AOS Interior Environments, Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc., Antoine's Restaurant, Associated Food Supply, Badine Land Limited, Bayou Rum, Blue Bikes New Orleans, The Berger Company, Bourbon Heat, Bourbon Orleans, Broussard's, Bond Moroch, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Bubly, Cajun Corner, Chevrolet, Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, Crescent Crown Distributing, Cumulus New Orleans, Dickie Brennan and Company Family of Restaurants, DownBeat Magazine, The Derbes Foundation, Finlandia, Flamingo A Go-Go, Friend of Fest, Cold Brew Coffee, French Market Corporation, GE Digital, Hancock Whitney Bank, Hand Surgical Associates, Harrah’s New Orleans, The Helis Foundation, Hilton, House of Blues, I.T.S. Fire Alarm Security, Jack Daniel’s, Jones Walker, KKAY, Kingfish, Korbel, KREWE, Laurel Communications, LASIK Vision Institute, LeafFilter, Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré, Louisiana Cookin', Louisiana Division of the Arts, Louisiana Fish Fry, Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, Louisiana State Museum, Luzianne Iced Tea, McLoughlin Family Foundation, Morris Bart Attorneys, Music Performance Trust Fund, NCIS: New Orleans, National Park Service, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, New Orleans Public Belt, New Orleans Original Daiquiris, New York Life Insurance Company, NOLA Media Group, OffBeat Magazine, Our Place Promotions, Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, Palm Court Jazz Cafe, Pan-American Life Insurance Group, Park First, Pat O'Brien's, Patrick Gros, PepsiCo., The Plant Gallery, Pennington Lawson LLP, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Reily Foods, Renaissance Publishing, Republic National Distributing, Rouses, Rolland Safe and Lock, Royal House, Royal Sonesta, Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, Sonoma-Cutrer, Steamboat Natchez, Sysco, Taste of the South, Touro, Tequila Herradura, TLC Linens, travel opps/TAB, The Vinyl District,Tropical Isle, The Westin New Orleans Canal Place, WWL-TV, WHERE Magazine, Where Y'at Magazine, Windsor Court Hotel, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, WHIV, WWL-AM, WWNO 89.9 FM, WRNO 99.5, WYLD, Zapp's Potato Chips, and 504Forward.

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French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron is produced by French Quarter Festivals, Inc., (FQFI) the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, which also produces Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron in August and Christmas New Orleans Style in December. FQFI’s mission is to promote the Vieux Carré and the City of New Orleans through high quality special events and activities that showcase the culture and heritage of this unique city, contribute to the economic well-being of the community, and instill increased pride in the people of New Orleans. For more information about French Quarter Festivals, Inc. or any of these events, call (504) 522-5730 or visit www.fqfi.org.